As the fifth anniversary of the death of George Floyd draws near, tensions are escalating in Minnesota over rumours that former President Donald Trump may pardon ex-police officer Derek Chauvin. Although no announcement has been made by the Trump campaign or the White House, the mere prospect has caused state officials to ready themselves for an array of public responses, particularly in a state still recovering from the wounds of 2020.
A State Prepares for Blow
Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, reacting to journalists this week, acknowledged that no immediate word has come directly from federal officials regarding a possible pardon. But given President Trump’s mercurial past and outside rumors swirling, Walz can’t rule out anything.
“If Donald Trump exercises his constitutional right to pardon Chauvin, we’re prepared,” Walz said. “Chauvin would simply be transferred to continue his 22 and a half-year state sentence in Minnesota.” Walz’s statement underscores the legal reality: a federal pardon would not absolve Chauvin of his state murder conviction.
Attorney General Keith Ellison reiterated the point, noting that Chauvin’s guilty verdicts have survived several appeals, including at both the Minnesota and U.S. Supreme Courts. “Trump has no right to pardon the state conviction,” Ellison underscored, labeling any federal clemency “a sign of disrespect” to Floyd’s memory as well as the judicial process.
Preparing for Unrest and Managing Misinformation
Even in the absence of any credible intelligence to verify the rumors, Minneapolis authorities are preemptively tightening up their emergency management plans. Commissioner of Community Safety Toddrick Barnette said, “We’ve completely revamped our response procedures since 2020. As a precautionary measure, we are prepared for anything.”
In an internal city memo, Minneapolis staff were advised on communication procedures should a pardon be issued. The guidance is clear: any federal action won’t change Chauvin’s incarceration status in Minnesota, and leadership will be unified in condemning such a move if it materializes.
Fueling the rumors was a recent social media campaign by Elon Musk, who retweeted a post urging Trump to pardon Chauvin. That post was from right-wing commentator Ben Shapiro and rekindled debates that had subsided. The news even caused ripples, heightening tensions as public opinion remains polarized.
The Politics of Clemency and Police Reform
This is not the first time Trump has been accused of politicizing presidential pardons. During his first term, he granted contentious clemencies to those who participated in the January 6 uprising and others who were branded by allies as political martyrs.
The potential for a pardon by Chauvin occurs amidst larger anxieties regarding the future of police accountability. On the eve of Trump returning to office, Minneapolis reached a pivotal agreement with the Department of Justice for a federal consent decree to enforce far-reaching police reforms. That deal now teeters in the balance, with Trump’s prior administration having condemned such decrees as “federal overreach.”
The city government and Minneapolis Police Department have also shown alarm that Trump’s return could upset hard-won reforms. Already, the impending uncertainty has sparked renewed calls for neighbourhood activism and watchfulness as citizens reminisce on the lasting impact of George Floyd’s demise.
To date, Chauvin is still imprisoned in a low-security federal penitentiary in Big Spring, Texas. His federal release date is 2037, but if returned to Minnesota, he will serve out his sentence with supervised release eligibility in 2043.
The plot thickens, and officials say nothing but keep their ears open. Whether or not a pardon is granted, the political and social repercussions of George Floyd’s killing remain a locus of concern in America’s continuing quest for justice.
Also read: Behind the Curtain: Mike Pence’s Measured Critique of Trump’s Media Obsession
